Mounting arrangement for room air conditioner

ABSTRACT

A window frame mounting arrangement for a room air conditioner cabinet which allows the window sash to be raised while the air conditioner remains in its installed position. The invention includes a slidably adjustable top channel assembly secured to the top wall of the cabinet and engageable with a single permanently installed peg-like member in each of the opposed window jambs providing a ready method of installation and/or temporary removal of the cabinet, together with adjustable seals for horizontally aligning accordian-type expandable side closure wing curtains which close the space between the cabinet and the window jambs, whereby the seals function to maintain the side closures in their extended position.

United States Patent Kong et al.

MOUNTING ARRANGEIVIENT FOR ROOM AIR CONDITIONER [75] Inventors: Carlito M. Kong, Dayton; William E. Koeppen, Kettering; Jim L. Brandt, Bradford, all of Ohio [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

22 Filed: Sept. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 509,092

[52] US. Cl 98/94; 62/262 [51] Int. Cl. E06B 7/02 [58] Field of Search 62/262; 98/94, 94 AC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,433,104 12/1947 Eberhart 98/94 AC 2,818,793 1/1958 Hord 98/94 AC 2,925,026 2/1960 Schuster.... 98/94 AC 3,134,319 5/1964 Marsteller 98/94 AC 3,476,033 11/1969 Afiel 62/262 Primary Examiner-William J. Wye Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward P. Barthel [57] ABSTRACT A window frame mounting arrangement for a room air conditioner cabinet which allows the window sash to be raised while the air conditioner remains in its installed position. The invention includes a slidably adjustable top channel assembly secured to the top wall of the cabinet and engageable with a single permanently installed peg-like member in each of the opposed window jambs providing a ready method of installation and/or temporary removal of the cabinet, together with adjustable seals for horizontally aligning accordian-type expandable side closure wing curtains which close the space between the cabinet and the window jambs, whereby the seals function to maintain the side closures in their extended position.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ll av 1/// J I US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet10f2 3,911,803

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 0f 2 3,911,803

OUTDOOR MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROOM AIR CONDITIONER This invention relates to room air conditioner window mounting and more particularly, to an improved arrangement for readily mounting an air conditioner cabinet in a window frame opening.

The present invention provides an improved mounting arrangement for a room air conditioning unit in a window frame which enables the unit to be readily installed and removed for servicing and the like by means of an adjustable sealed top channel assembly. The mounting kit provides as a principal component adjustable side closures each including three-sided frame slide having an a'ccordian-type curtain which when extended to its outward position in contact with the window jamb is retained by means of a plastic sealing member which holds the frame slide in a proper horizontal orientation while retaining its associated side frame in its extended proper position while closing an adjustment slot in the top channel assembly.

Accordingly, it is an'object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting arrangement for a room air conditioner cabinet in a window frame wherein an adjustable top channel assembly engages with a pre-positioned permanent stud member on each window jamb to allow the unit to be readily installed and removed while also allowing the window sash to be raised after the air conditioner is in its installed position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting arrangement for the ready installation of a room air conditioner cabinet in a window frame having accordian-type wing curtain side closures arranged in a three-sided slidable frame to close the space between the air conditioner and the window frame in combination with a plastic sealing support strip which is retained on and covers the slot in the adjustable double-L sectioned portion of the top channel assembly; said seal strip having a downwardly extending hook-like portion engaging the inner portion of the frame thereby maintaining the frame in an aligned supported position relative to the window opening while notch means on the plastic seal function to maintain the side closure in its extended position engaging the adjacent window jamb.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating the room air conditioner window mounting arrangement of the present invention in its assembled operative condition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially elevational view of a portion of the adjustable top channel and expandable sealing wing and a plastic sealing member illustrating the interrelationship between the parts thereof;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional member taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial vertical section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial horizontal section taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the one end portion of the adjustable channel seal.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the room air conditioning unit is shown located in a window aperture in the wall 10 defined by a horizontal window sill 12, vertically extending window jambs 14 and a vertically slidable, horizontally extending window sash 16. The air conditioning unit, generally indicated at 20, is mounted along the top wall 22 of its rectangular housing in the window opening solely by means of an adjustable transverse channel brace assembly 24 while permitting the user to raise the window sash 16. The sill mounting arrangement-for the air conditioner cabinet forms no part of the present invention and any suitable bracket means could be used such as shown in US. Pat. No. 2,758,456 to l-I. A. Wheeler, assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-6, the adjustable channel assembly includes a top channel member 30 having an upright U-shaped channel portion defined by a base 32 and upstanding inner 34 and outer 36 side wall flanges with the channel base 32 fixedly attached to the top wall 22 of the air conditioner housing by suitable means such as a plurality of threaded bolts 38 and nuts 39. The top channel member 30 includes an integral upstanding or upwardly projecting extension 40 inwardly offset from the plane of flange wall 34 by bight portion 42. The top channel extension 40 has an outwardly directed horizontal rib portion 44 providing edge engagement with the indoor face 46 of the sash 16 for a reason to be explained.

With reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the top channel 30 of the channel brace assembly 24 extends the full width of the air conditioner housing and has projecting from both ends thereof identical slidably adjustable double-L section members 50. As seen in FIG. 4 each adjustable member 50 has a horizontal web 52 provided with an upstanding top leg flange 54 on its indoor edge, positioned in flush relation with the outer surface 56 of the top channel extension 40, and a downwardly extending bottom leg flange 58 on its outdoor edge whose free edge seats on the top channel base 32. As seen in FIG. 2, the adjustable double-L member 50 has an elongated hole or slot 62 formed in its upstanding leg flange which is aligned with the centers of a plurality of holes 64 in the top channel extension 40 for the reception of suitable securing means which in the form disclosed are threaded bolts 66 and nuts 68.

As seen in FIG. 1, channel sectioned wing seals 70, formed of suitable plastic material such as P.V.C. plastic, are provided on either side of the top channel 30 and are secured to the inner face 72 of the top leg flange 54 in a manner to close and conceal the slots 62 therein. With reference to FIG. 5, the seal has an upper channel section including upper and lower return flanges 74 and 75, respectively, providing opposed transverse tracks 76 dimensioned to slidably receive a plurality of speed type clips 78 which in the form shown are formed of high carbon spring steel. The center U- shaped head portion 80 of each clip 78, as seen in FIG. 2, has two pairs-of inwardly canted tabs 82 on either side of the head for travel in the tracks 76 while inwardly converging projecting spring fingers 84 have outwardly diverging shoulders 86 which resiliently engage the edges of top leg flange outer face 88. The lower return flange 75 has a downwardly extending hook-sectioned flange 90 with the outwardly formed hook portion 92 thereof dimensioned to engagingly support the lower edge 93 of inner wall 94 of U- sectioned top wing channel 96 as seen in FIG. 5. The top wing channel 96, which includes an outer wall 97 and a bridge wall 98, is dimensioned to be slidingly received in the rectangular tunnel 99 defined by the top channel 30 and the adjustable double-L members 50.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air conditioner mounting arrangement includes right 100 and left 102 expandable sealing wings or closures each comprising a three-sided frame slide including top wing channel 96, bottom wing channel 104, and side wing channel 106 and an accordian or pleated plastic curtain 108, the top, bottom and outer edges of which are received in the open sides of the wing channels. The pleated curtain 108 preferably formed of polyolefin plastic material, has resilient hingeportions as disclosed, for example, in prior art US. Pat. Nos. 3,587,441 to Norman W. Woods or 3,1 1 l,O76 to W. C. Martin, Jr. et al. The curtains are secured at their inner pleats 1 12 to the cabinet side wall 114 by suitable means such as metal screws 116 and elongated clip members 1 18 (FIG. 7) and their outer pleats 1 19 to the inner face of the web 120 of vertical channel 106 as in the right-hand side closure of FIG. 3. Thus, when the three sided frames are extended to contact the window jambs the expanded curtains 108 exert an inward pull on the vertical or side wing channel 106 whereby means such as screws have been required to hold the three sided frames in place. Applicants novel structure, however, utilizes the seals 70 to maintain the side closures in their proper extended location. This is accomplished by measuring from the end 122 of the top channel to the opposed face 124 of the window jamb 14 for the right-side closure and cutting the wing seal 70 to that length.

As seen in FIG. 8, at each end of the wing seal 70 a notch 126 is provided removing the hook portion 92. The longitudinal length of the notch 126 is'exactly equal to the width of the lateral dimension of the vertical channel inner wall 127. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the hook portion 92 of the wing seal 70 is hooked to the lower edge 93 of the horizontal wing channel flange 94 and the legs 84 of the clips 78 are pushed through the slotted holes 62 of the double-L channel the notch edge 128 engages the inner edge 129 of the vertical wing channel inner wall 127 to fixedly retain the right-hand side closure in its correct extended position contacting edge 124 of jamb 14.

Peg-like members located on each jamb 14 in opposed relation are preferably in the form of cylinder head mounting screws, as shown at 130 in FIG. 3 for the right-hand side of the window frame, having sleeve bushings 132 of a predetermined length slipped thereon so that the screws extend outwardly a defined distance from the window tracks 134. In the disclosed form the bushing 132 is formed of molded nylon plastic material and may be used with a template to locate the screw 130 the proper height above the window sill before the placing of the cabinet in the window opening. By virtue of the permanent pre-installation of the opposed peg means in the form of screws 130 and sleeve bushing 132 applicants assembly provides for the ready installation or removal without necessitating the removal of any window frame screws either in the sealing wing or the channel brace assembly 24.

In operation upon the location of the cabinet in the window opening the bolts 66 are inserted through holes 64 of the top channel extension 40 and the slotted holes 62 of each of the right hand and left hand adjustable double-L sectioned members 50. With the nuts 68 finger tight against the top leg 54 of the adjustable double- L members 50 and with the unit centered in the window the adjustable members 50 are slid all the way outwardly until their end portions engage jambs 14. Thus, the double-L members can slide freely to a position where each of the cantilevered screw bushings 132 is contacted tangentially by both the upper surface of the web 52 and the outer surface of the top leg flange 54 adjacent their right angle bend juncture 136 to thereby resist the overcenter pivotal gravitational moment force on the cabinet. It will be appreciated that such force will be taken by the channel beam assembly with the resisting force couple between the top flange 54 and the upstanding extension.40 acting together with the bottom leg flange 58 and the channel outdoor wall flange 36.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

We claim:

1. In an air conditioning apparatus, means for mounting a room air conditioner casing within a window frame structure having a vertical sliding sash, top and bottom channel assemblies secured to the top and bottom walls of said casing, respectively; means for securing said bottom channel assembly to the sill of the window frame wherein the improvement in said top channel mounting assembly comprising, a top channel member coextensive with the transverse dimension of the casing having an upright channel defined by a base and inner and outer vertical side wall flanges, means securing said base to said casing top wall, an integral upwardly projecting extension outwardly offset from the plane of said inner side wall flange, said extension having an inwardly directed horizontally disposed rib for engagement with the indoor face of the window sash; a pair of identical double-L. section members, one disposed in nested relation to extend outwardly from each end of said top channel member; each said double-L member having a horizontal web connecting vertically extending top and bottom legs, said double-L member positioned with said top leg in flush relation with the inner surface of said top channel extension and with said bottom leg seated adjacent said top channel outer side wall flange, said double-L section member having its right-angled juncture between said top leg and said web in conforming juxtaposed relation with the offset bend portion of said top channel extension, adjustable means for securing said pair of double-L section members to said top channel extension in a position whereby the free end of each double-L member contacts its associated window frame vertical jamb, and a pair of cantilevered screw bushings, one being positioned on each of the vertical jambs in coaxial opposed relation so as to contact the free end portion of its associated double-L section member at said web and top leg right-angled juncture to thereby secure the upper portion of the air conditioner cabinet in the window frame whereby the window sash may be freely raised and lowered in the window frame portion above the installed room air conditioner.

2. In an air conditioning apparatus, means for mounting a room air conditioner casing within a window frame structure having a vertical sliding sash, top and bottom channel assemblies secured to the top and bottom casing walls respectively, defining substantially parallel trackways, U-shaped extension frame assemblies adapted to close the space between a side of the casing and a side jamb of the window frame, each said frame having a vertical member connected to parallel channel-shaped legs, wherein the improvement in said top channel mounting assembly comprising, a top channel member having an upright channel defined by a base and inner and outer side wall flanges, means securing said base to said casing, an integral upwardly projecting extension outwardly offset from the plane of said inner side wall flange, said extension having an inwardly directed horizontally disposed rib for engagement with the indoor face of the window sash defining a sliding space between the sash and said extension; a pair of identical double-L section members, one disposed in nested relation at each end of said top channel member; each said double-L member having a horizontal web connecting vertically extending top and bottom legs, said double-L member positioned with said top leg in the sliding space and in flush relation with the inner surface of said top channel extension and with said bottom leg seated adjacent said top channel outer side wall flange, said double-L section member having its rightangled juncture between said top leg and said web in conforming juxtaposed relation with the offset bend portion of said top channel extension whereby a rectangular tunnel trackway is defined between said web and said base for receiving the upper channel-shaped leg of said U-shaped extension frame, elongated holes in each double-L section bottom leg for reception of fastener means to secure said double-L members to said top channel extension in their adjustable position contacting the vertical jambs of the window frame, and a pair of cantilevered screw bushings, one being positioned on each said vertical jamb in coaxial opposed relation so as to contact the free end portion of its associated double-L sectioned member at said web and leg rightangled juncture to thereby secure the upper portion of the air conditioner cabinet in the window frame whereby the window sash may be freely raised and lowered in the window frame portion above the room air conditioner.

3. In an air conditioning apparatus, means for mounting a room air conditioner casing within a window frame structure having a vertical sliding sash, top and bottom channel assemblies secured to the top and bottom casing walls respectively, defining substantially parallel trackways; wing-like extension curtain assemblies adapted to close the spaces between the sides of the casing and the side jambs of the window frame, said extension frame assembly including a U-shaped frame and an accordian-type plastic curtain causing the pleats thereof to resiliently flex to their retracted folded configuration, each said frame having a vertical member connected to parallel top and bottom channel-shaped legs arranged to slide in said trackways, wherein the improvement in said top channel mounting assembly comprising, a top channel member having an upright channel defined by a base and inner and outer side wall flanges, means securing said base to said casing top wall, an integral upwardly projecting extension outwardly offset from the plane of said inner side wall flange, said extension having an inwardly directed horizontally disposed rib for engagement with the indoor face of the window sash defining a sliding space between the sash and said extension; a pair of identical double-L section members, one disposed in nested rela tion at each end of said top channel member; each said double-L member having a horizontal web connecting vertically extending top and bottom flange legs, said double-L member positioned with said top leg in the sliding space and in flush relation with the inner surface of said top channel extension and with said bottom leg seated adjacent said top channel outer side wall flange, said double-L section member having its web and said top channel base defining a rectangular tunnel trackway for receiving the upper channel-shaped frame leg, elongated holes in each double-L section bottom leg for reception of fastener means to secure said double-L members to said top channel extension in their adjustable position contacting the vertical jambs of the window frame, a pair of elongated plastic wing seals, one aligned on each end of said extension in butt engagement with the ends thereof; the wing seals located in the indoor face of each double-L sectioned bottom leg by spring clips engageable in the elongated holes therein, said spring clips having their head portions slidably received in opposed grooves formed on the inner side of said wing seals, each said wing seal including a downwardly extending hook-like flange with its hook portion dimensioned to engageably support a lower edge portion of its associated extended frame top channel-shaped leg, and each said wing seal having an outer notch in said hook portion engageable with its respective frame vertical member, such that each said wing seal may be cut to a predetermined length with its inboard edge in butt engagement with its associate top channel extension edge whereby the curtain assemblies are retained in their extended position engaging their associated window jamb. 

1. In an air conditioning apparatus, means for mounting a room air conditioner casing within a window frame structure having a vertical sliding sash, top and bottom channel assemblies secured to the top and bottom walls of said casing, respectively; means for securing said bottom channel assembly to the sill of the window frame wherein the improvement in said top channel mounting assembly comprising, a top channel member coextensive with the transverse dimension of the casing having an upright channel defined by a base and inner and outer vertical side wall flanges, means securing said base to said casing top wall, an integral upwardly projecting extension outwardly offset from the plane of said inner side wall flange, said extension having an inwardly directed horizontally disposed rib for engagement with the indoor face of the window sash; a pair of identical double-L section members, one disposed in nested relation to extend outwardly from each end of said top channel member; each said double-L member having a horizontal web connecting vertically extending top and bottom legs, said double-L member positioned with said top leg in flush relation with the inner surface of said top channel extension and with said bottom leg seated adjacent said top channel outer side wall flange, said double-L section member having its right-angled juncture between said top leg and said web in conforming juxtaposed relation with the offset bend portion of said top channel extension, adjustable means for securing said pair of double-L section members to said top channel extension in a position whereby the free end of each double-L member contacts its associated window frame vertical jamb, and a pair of cantilevered screw bushings, one being positioned on each of the vertical jambs in coaxial opposed relation so as to contact the free end portion of its associated double-L section member at said web and top leg right-angled juncture to thereby secure the upper portion of the air conditioner cabinet in the window frame whereby the window sash may be freely raised and lowered in the window frame portion above the installed room air conditioner.
 2. In an air conditioning apparatus, means for mounting a room air conditioner casing within a window frame structure having a vertical sliding sash, top and bottom channel assemblies secured to the top and bottom casing walls respectively, defining substantially parallel trackways, U-shaped extension frame assemblies adapted to close the space between a side of the casing and a side jamb of the window frame, each said frame having a vertical member connected to parallel channel-shaped legs, wherein the improvement in said top channel mounting assembly comprising, a top channel member having an upright channel defined by a base and inner and outer side wall flanges, means securing said base to said casing, an integral upwardly projecting extension outwardly offset from the plane of said inner side wall flange, said extension having an inwardly directed horiZontally disposed rib for engagement with the indoor face of the window sash defining a sliding space between the sash and said extension; a pair of identical double-L section members, one disposed in nested relation at each end of said top channel member; each said double-L member having a horizontal web connecting vertically extending top and bottom legs, said double-L member positioned with said top leg in the sliding space and in flush relation with the inner surface of said top channel extension and with said bottom leg seated adjacent said top channel outer side wall flange, said double-L section member having its right-angled juncture between said top leg and said web in conforming juxtaposed relation with the offset bend portion of said top channel extension whereby a rectangular tunnel trackway is defined between said web and said base for receiving the upper channel-shaped leg of said U-shaped extension frame, elongated holes in each double-L section bottom leg for reception of fastener means to secure said double-L members to said top channel extension in their adjustable position contacting the vertical jambs of the window frame, and a pair of cantilevered screw bushings, one being positioned on each said vertical jamb in coaxial opposed relation so as to contact the free end portion of its associated double-L sectioned member at said web and leg right-angled juncture to thereby secure the upper portion of the air conditioner cabinet in the window frame whereby the window sash may be freely raised and lowered in the window frame portion above the room air conditioner.
 3. In an air conditioning apparatus, means for mounting a room air conditioner casing within a window frame structure having a vertical sliding sash, top and bottom channel assemblies secured to the top and bottom casing walls respectively, defining substantially parallel trackways; wing-like extension curtain assemblies adapted to close the spaces between the sides of the casing and the side jambs of the window frame, said extension frame assembly including a U-shaped frame and an accordian-type plastic curtain causing the pleats thereof to resiliently flex to their retracted folded configuration, each said frame having a vertical member connected to parallel top and bottom channel-shaped legs arranged to slide in said trackways, wherein the improvement in said top channel mounting assembly comprising, a top channel member having an upright channel defined by a base and inner and outer side wall flanges, means securing said base to said casing top wall, an integral upwardly projecting extension outwardly offset from the plane of said inner side wall flange, said extension having an inwardly directed horizontally disposed rib for engagement with the indoor face of the window sash defining a sliding space between the sash and said extension; a pair of identical double-L section members, one disposed in nested relation at each end of said top channel member; each said double-L member having a horizontal web connecting vertically extending top and bottom flange legs, said double-L member positioned with said top leg in the sliding space and in flush relation with the inner surface of said top channel extension and with said bottom leg seated adjacent said top channel outer side wall flange, said double-L section member having its web and said top channel base defining a rectangular tunnel trackway for receiving the upper channel-shaped frame leg, elongated holes in each double-L section bottom leg for reception of fastener means to secure said double-L members to said top channel extension in their adjustable position contacting the vertical jambs of the window frame, a pair of elongated plastic wing seals, one aligned on each end of said extension in butt engagement with the ends thereof; the wing seals located in the indoor face of each double-L sectioned bottom leg by spring clips engageable in the elongated holes therein, said spring clips having their head portions slidAbly received in opposed grooves formed on the inner side of said wing seals, each said wing seal including a downwardly extending hook-like flange with its hook portion dimensioned to engageably support a lower edge portion of its associated extended frame top channel-shaped leg, and each said wing seal having an outer notch in said hook portion engageable with its respective frame vertical member, such that each said wing seal may be cut to a predetermined length with its inboard edge in butt engagement with its associate top channel extension edge whereby the curtain assemblies are retained in their extended position engaging their associated window jamb. 